The relentless advance of vehicle technology, a need to recruit and train technicians of the future and ensuring the currency of lecturers¡¯ skills has prompted a group of companies with the Institute of the Motor Industry to launch a new initiative in support of the further education sector, which is responsible for training more than 50,000 young people registered on motor vehicle qualifications, including some 6,000 apprentices annually.

Following a bidding process, open to more than 300 institutions offering automotive training in the UK, ten ¡®pathfinder¡¯ centres have been selected to receive significant assistance from an industry consortium, which includes: the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the retail motor sector¡¯s professional association and major awarding body; bluecycle, the UK¡¯s largest on-line automotive salvage auction specialist; Snap-on, the tools and vehicle diagnostic equipment supplier; and Autodata, the publisher and supplier of automotive technical information in Europe.

The chosen FE centres, all of which are approved by the IMI to deliver national qualifications, will receive a complimentary package of support over the next three years. This includes the provision of vehicles, Snap-on diagnostic equipment, access to technical data and comprehensive training for lecturer staff both off-site and complemented by visits from Snap-on¡¯s technical support team.

In return, the initiative will require participating centres to promote their involvement to local industry, careers offices and schools, as part of the IMI¡¯s ¡°Proud to be professional¡± campaign, launched last year to step up efforts to attract high calibre students to the benefits of a vocational apprenticeship as a credible and rewarding alternative to university.

Research conducted by the Learning and Skills Council reveals vacancies in the retail motor sector totalling some 11,500, the majority of which are for skilled technicians. Advanced systems, similar to that found in fighter aircraft such as head-up display, fibre optics, controlled area networks (CAN), for example, are increasingly commonplace on new cars, demanding extreme proficiency of technicians in electronics and diagnostics. The new scheme will enable students and staff to gain in-depth experience of a variety of current production models.

Commenting on the launch of the new initiative, Sarah Sillars, Chief Executive, IMI, said: ¡°With rapid vehicle evolution, a shifting retail landscape and intense scrutiny from consumer groups, a robust and respected retail motor sector of the future will depend on equipping people with a whole new range of advanced skills who understand the importance of ethics. The further education sector has a huge part to play in this ambition and this unique initiative aims to make a difference on a number of different levels. We look forward to monitoring its progress.¡±

The ten ¡®pathfinder¡¯ centres chosen for support are Brooksby Melton College, Grimsby Institute, Highbury College, Portsmouth, Newcastle College, Peterborough College, S&B Training, Bristol, Stockport College, Suffolk College, Training 2000, Blackburn, and West Cheshire College.